rich1068

I'm going to have to have a go at this because it's not getting any better or bearable. If I can just drop the lining a touch on the NSR I might be able to see what's going on. Any more tips welcome.

Had this with one of the 9-5s. Fitting garage assumed the bushes in the new control arms were fixed in after manufacture but they weren't so clonk clonk. Looking under the car everything looked fine until I got an MOT station to put it on their shaker plate ramp. Scary stuff.

It is truly foul and I don't know if you've been following their social media campaign but they've done a pretty good job of upsetting their core market too.

Thing of beauty that BMW.

A while ago I read on the LS boards some worrying reports of bulbs having to be replaced on the '89-'00 400. These stories will only push more drivers towards German marques.

ECP part number for what we refer to as the MK3 LS 400 is 401820111 https://www.eurocarparts.com/search/401820111 As you can see it shows as unavailable but just speak to a branch. Have to say that with the replacement PAS pump and alternator the car is extremely quiet again. Both must have been on borrowed time for a little while. Could just be speculation but it's possible the original pump had been leaking onto the original alternator and the clean up the engine bay received prior to sale hid this. I remember when I picked it up the PAS reservoir was low but I just topped it up and didn't give it another thought.

All sorted. Alternator was a perfect fit and hopefully I won't need a new battery though I'm keeping an eye on it. Usual excellent service from Dave at Lex-Tek. I'll post up the ECP part number later in case anyone needs it in the future.

Hi Qi Xie. You might be better uploading that to YouTube.

Extremely. I use him every 30 years, regular as clockwork. Country's going to the dogs.

It is a daily driver but this will be the route I'll take if the ECP part is wrong. In fact before they came up with one I called at an auto electrician in Sheffield that I've used before and that specialised in this sort of thing only to find he retired last year.

Well there's still a chance it could be the wrong one. The one for the MK3 is different to the more widely available one for the MK4 though both are unavailable from Lexus. There are also two different alternators listed for the MK3, one rated at 80A and one rated at 100A. The 100A was also revised during production but the part number for the substitute went down rather than up which I'm told is unusual. On top of all that, suppliers ask me for my registration first which never brings up anything because my car spent so long in the Isle of Man it lost its original reg and had a period one issued. As you can see I've learned a lot about alternators in the last couple of days!

400ish plus VAT I think. Can't really remember because it was really just the part number I was after. Moot point anyway because it's unavailable. £1k+ from Amayama but that wouldn't have materialised either. So because they're not available the non genuine route is the only one to take. Your model would be a bit more. Around £300 plus VAT from ECP.

Funnily enough I've just got off the phone with Euro Car Parts. They can do me a reconditioned Lucas exchange unit for £163! I snapped their hand off. It might not be the best but at least it's from a bricks and mortar store and there's some come back if it breaks.

Confirmed by Lexus Assistance (the AA) as the alternator. I did manage to get it started with a view to getting it to Lex-Tek where it could sit until I sourced the part but barely made it a mile down the road. AA came, put on a fresh battery to get me going and followed me to Dave's. Stirling service from the AA as usual and incidentally the 5th time I've used them since 2017 but the first time for a Lexus. Trying to find a part now.

Still holding out it could be this simple but I fear it won't be.

As previously mentioned, I don't think this car has had much use over the last few years and suddenly getting driven daily is making these bugs appear. Hopefully this will be one of the last! Agreed. My thoughts too. Remembered today that I do have a tester of sorts. Unfortunately it's at the office but I have one of those Bluetooth/FM transmitters that plug into the ciggie lighter. Like others I've had it also displays voltage pre and post start up. Unknown I'm afraid. It came with the car and there aren't any date labels on it. My cunning plan (not very cunning at all) is to give Lexus Breakdown a call tomorrow. They can confirm either way, hopefully get it started and then I'll get it over to Lex-Tek where it can wait until I've sourced an alternator. If it turns out it's just the battery then I'll just pick one up or they supply one. Not likely though.

Welcome

I don't have another unfortunately. If it'll start I'll give that a go. Electrics aren't really my forte. As you may have gathered.

Agreed. I've seen the car on the Lexus website and the price isn't outrageous for what you're getting. The used car warranty is bullet proof and I very much doubt they'll budge on price. Best bet as John says is to try and get something thrown in. They might be able to sort something re: the transport costs but they know they don't have to try because it will sell on its own. Personally I'd pay the money, get the train down and very much enjoy the drive back. London to Glasgow? Yes please! Get it bought Yusuf. Once you've had a Lexus you'll wonder what you've been doing all these years

Went for a little run out in the Peaks this afternoon, nasty weather so lights on, stereo on, wipers on and I noticed my wipers were slow as well as the 'lights on' indicator being a little dim. Apart from that everything appeared normal and I didn't really give it a thought. Fast forward to me pulling up in the supermarket car park and I noticed I'd got an array of dim warning lights (just about all of them) but the car still running OK. Car started fine when I came back to it but again after 10 minutes all the hazy lights were back. Also the steering wheel didn't extend/retract with the ignition. Everything electrical is extremely slow so I assume the battery is virtually drained. So..... battery or alternator? Unfortunately I don't have the tools to test the current state of the battery or whether the alternator is putting the charge back in but wondered if these symptoms told you anything? These things always happen at a weekend so I'm a bit stuck until Monday but did wonder what you thought. Things to note: In the last fortnight or so I have had the cam belt, aux belt changed. On Friday I accidentally left both front interior map lights on for an hour or two and I'm aware that little things can just tip a battery over the edge. I have a feeling this is an alternator issue but I am aware that little things can tip a battery over the edge. This one came with the car, has no dates on it and is a brand I've never heard of. Many thanks. [edit] Should also add that I've had the PAS pump changed due to another issue but there were no signs of leaks onto the alternator. [/edit]

You didn't waste any time

Now you've done it.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. I've recently had a car clear out and I'm just running the LS. There's basically nothing that needs doing so unsure whether to do "other things" to it like you or buy another little project like the Saabs and GS were. I would ditch the aftermarket HIDs. Not a fan. On mine I just put whiter sidelight bulbs in and now they match the colour of the main beams. Had a chat yesterday with a guy from Japparts on eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/jappartsltd?_trksid=p2047675.l2559 and he might be a good source for the OEM bits you need. I'd recommend Tony Banks for an exhaust but Hampshire is a long way from Leeds. And tasteful mods? Antimacassars and curtains surely?

I'll be honest Alan, I think you've dodged a bullet not being able to get the wipers up.

Jonny Smith posted this up on Twitter the other day.